Wu Yi Tea and Weight Loss
There is so much interest in weight loss and Wu Yi tea that we are going to look at research supporting the connection.
Let's start at the beginning
All tea comes from one plant Camellia Sinensis if it doesn't come from that plant it is not tea (herbs come from a variety of plants). Over time, the plant has protected itself from photosynthetic stressors by forming chemical compounds known as polyphenols. Polyphenols, which include flavonoids, have the same beneficial class of compounds, antioxidants, that make fruits and vegetables good for you.
The difference in green tea and Wu Yi tea is processing. All tea is green when picked. Green tea is heated in order to halt the natural enzymatic reaction (oxidation) of the leaf. Once dried, green tea leaves are then rolled intentionally breaking the cell structure. Wu Yi tea leaves are plucked, kept under carefully controlled conditions and allowed to oxidize. These leaves are not intentionally broken, leaving most of the cell structure intact. These processing differences make each category of tea beneficially different even though they come from the same plant.
The Weight Loss Connection
The two main ways to reduce food related body weight are; increase energy expenditure (EE) and inhibit the absorption of nutrients, including fat and carbohydrates. Caffeine is a stimulant so it is widely accepted that the caffeine in tea increases metabolism, hence increasing EE. So the question becomes, is it only the caffeine or are other compounds in the tea contributing to that increase?
The Research
The Chinese have long believed that Wu Yi tea is beneficial in reducing and maintaining weight. A Chinese study, in 1998, of 102 females showed that continuous consumption of Wu Yi tea for six weeks resulted in a reduction of body weight. This study, along with the question of other compounds contributing to tea's weight loss benefits, spurred further research.
In 2001, Physiologist Dr. William Rumpler, of the US Agriculture Research Services' Diet and Human Laboratory, investigated the ancient Chinese belief that Wu Yi tea is effective in controlling body weight. The study measured how tea influences energy expenditure (EE) and included 12 male volunteers who were given 4 separate beverage formulas over three consecutive days. The beverage formulas consisted of; 1) full strength Wu Yi tea, 2) caffeinated water with caffeine equal to full strength Wu Yi tea, 3) half strength Wu Yi tea and 4) non caffeinated water.
The participants 24 hour EE was measured and resulted in;
- EE levels of about 3% higher when they drank either the full strength Wu Yi tea or the caffeinated water versus the non caffeinated water.
- Participants burned an average of 67 more calories per day when drinking the full strength Wu Yi tea.
- Participants increased fat oxidation (fat burning) by a whooping 12% after consuming the full strength Wu Yi tea versus the caffeinated water.
- This data confirms that a component other than caffeine is responsible for promoting the preferential use of fat as an energy source.
The increase in fat oxidation in this study is amazing! Drinking Wu Yi tea can actually tell your body to burn fat for energy! Scientists then speculated that caffeine combined with EGCGs worked together to increase fat oxidation.
A Japanese study, conducted in 2003, went one step further comparing the benefits of Wu Yi tea and green tea on weight reduction. Eleven healthy young female students participated in this well controlled study. Participants received three different beverage formulas; 1) Wu Yi tea, 2) powdered green tea leaves and 3) water.
Both teas were prepared with boiling water. The Wu Yi tea steeped for five minutes and the powdered green tea leaves were dissolved.
After measurements were taken, the results determined;
- Wu Yi tea had higher EE levels from beginning to end and at intervals of 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes.
- EE levels peaked at 90 minutes for both Wu Yi and green tea and remained at their respective levels until 120 minutes.
- These results indicate that after consuming Wu Yi tea you will expend more energy then if you were to drink green tea or water and that it can last up to two hours.
The concentrations of caffeine, individual catechins and other polyphenols were also measured producing these interesting findings;
- The caffeine and EGCG content was much higher in the green tea versus the Wu Yi tea.
- The concentration of polymerized polyphenols was significantly higher in the Wu Yi tea versus the green tea.
These findings show that it's the polymerized polyphenols, highest in Wu Yi tea, that link tea to burning fat, not just the caffeine or just the combination of caffeine and EGCGs. Furthermore, the rest of the compounds compared in the teas were similar or equal to one another with no marked differences, reinforcing the results.
We have shown that Wu Yi tea significantly increases EE for up to as much as 120 minutes and can even promote preferential use of fat as an energy source making it a healthy tool for reducing and maintaining weight. So what about absorption of nutrients?
Wu Yi tea's effect on blocking the absorption of fats and carbohydrates is thought to play a key role in its weight reducing benefits. While more studies need to be done, initial studies indicate that Wu Yi tea has absorption blocking potential.
There are proven methods for losing weight and keeping it off; exercise, getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet. Wu Yi tea can enhance these positive changes and garner faster results.
Wu Yi - The Facts
- Wu Yi teas taste great and are delicious hot or cold.
- Enjoy a cup of Wu Yi 30 minutes to 1 hour prior to your walk, workout or yoga session and reap the rewards!
- Drink Wu Yi in the afternoon to stave off late day sweet cravings and energy slumps. |
Wu Yi Diet Tea, grown in the Wu Yi Mountains of Fujian Province, China, is known for its premium flavor and medicinal attributes. 
